MARTINUK: Dr. Edward M.
June 19, 1934 - February 16, 2014
With great sadness, we announce that Dr. Edward M. Martinuk passed from the loving arms of his family into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 16, 2014. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marilyn, his parents, Luka and Anna Martinuk, and his brother Victor. Those left to cherish his memory and celebrate his legacy in their lives are his devoted children, David (Karen) Martinuk of Humboldt, Cheryl (Barry) Blischak of Calgary and Susan Martinuk of Vancouver. He will also be missed, yet fondly remembered by his grandchildren, who were a source of great joy and pride to him, Sarah, Jeffrey, Christine, Daniel and Hannah. Edward grew up on a farm near Yorkton, SK, before moving to teach school in Manitoba. He then studied at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto, where he played saxophone and violin in various jazz/bluegrass bands and met a young teacher named Marilyn Gwinn, whom he vowed to rescue from a lifetime of "running to catch the Bloor Street bus." In 1957, he graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, married Marilyn in St. Hubert, QB, and established a practice in Humboldt, SK. For more than 50 years, he was an active leader and choir member at Westminster United Church. He was a member of the Lions community service club and, in 1967, served as Chairman of the community's Canada Centennial celebrations. In this capacity, he was responsible for establishing the Centennial Cairn that still stands before City Hall. He became a passionate golfer and participated in cross-country ski races. For many years, he played the violin with the well-known St. Peter's Symphony Orchestra. Later on, he was thrilled to play alongside his son, David, and grandson, Jeffrey, in St. Peter's Chamber Orchestra. Music played a large part in Edward's life, and his favorite times were gathered around the piano with family members playing various instruments and singing. Wherever he traveled, Edward was known to pull out his sax or violin and join in the band. During the 1970s, he pursued post-doctoral studies and became a Fellow of the College of Chiropractic Radiology (FCCR (C)) and a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology (DACBR). In 1983, Edward welcomed his son and daughter-in-law (Dr. David and Dr. Karen Martinuk) into his practice under the name Chiropractic Associates. In his professional career, Edward was a lifetime academic, insisting that his chiropractic treatments reflected the most recent scientific information and protocols. As a result, many benefitted from his care over his 44 years in practice. In 2007, he was made a lifetime member of CMCC. In his retirement, Edward played a significant role in establishing the Humboldt Food Bank, joined his wife Marilyn in a spiritual care ministry at St. Mary's Villa, and enjoyed runs with the dogs at the SPCA. Edward's life was irrevocably altered when Marilyn, his wife of 53 years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Several months after her death in 2011, he was diagnosed with the same illness. Although he made his battle with cancer a very private issue, he showed tremendous courage and strength, continuing to exercise daily and refusing to give up until the very end. We owe much gratitude to those who assisted in his care. Elizabeth and Dorothy were wonderful, compassionate nurses to Edward in his final weeks. Many other nurses at the Humboldt and District Health Complex contributed greatly to his most difficult days and we thank them for their kindness. We thank Dr. Roger Keith and his assistant Mary-Ellen at the Royal University Hospital for their extraordinary care, as well as Dr. A. Moola in Humboldt. A service to celebrate Edward's life will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 2.00 pm at Westminster United Church in Humboldt. Interment to follow at Humboldt Public Cemetery. If desired, donations in Edward's memory can be made to the Humboldt and District SPCA. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel in Humboldt.
